“You’re not going on the 31st just to march and go over the bridge, you’re going as Destiny, you’re carrying the future hopes of this country.
“I understand this [march] is so hot, that there are three counter protests against us.”
Destiny Church leader Brian Tamaki leads a march down Queen St in central Auckland. Photo / Alex Burton.
NZTA said the group’s application to use the bridge was declined because “information provided in the Coalition’s Traffic Management Plan did not meet NZTA’s strict criteria”.
“There is a very high threshold for acceptance of requests to access the bridge for special events,” it said, adding “the bridge is not designed for use by pedestrians”.
The potential disruption to the whole Auckland transport network because of the timing and duration of the event was also considered, NZTA said.
Tamaki previously blasted NZTA’s decision in a social post, saying: “It’s obvious [the] Government and police are panicking that big numbers of Kiwis will be turning out to cross the Auckland Harbour Bridge on Sat 31st January”.
“We will meet at Victoria Park at 11am … The decision will be made then.”
Brian Tamaki told church members the future of New Zealand “relies on Destiny”. Photo / Facebook
However, Tamaki’s Sunday message confirmed the group’s intention to walk the bridge.
“You can’t turn up like you are today,” he told parishioners.
“You’ve got to call friends and tell them of the big moment, even if you don’t agree with us, you’ve got to be there.
“Do you like bridge-walking? Come. Do you like big crowds? Do you want to be noisy? Be in the heat of the moment? Get there.”
The protest has been heavily advertised on Facebook by the church’s latest offshoot, anti-immigration group True Patriots of NZ, with posts saying “See you on the bridge”.
Members of the controversial group attended a Sikh parade in South Auckland last month holding banners that read: “This is NZ, not India”.
A group linked to Brian Tamaki disrupted a march by Sikhs in South Auckland. Photo / Facebook
Police warned anyone considering crossing the bridge on Saturday should “carefully consider their actions”, as they would be breaking the law and “subject to enforcement action”.
Waitematā district commander Superintendent Naila Hassan said a significant police operation had been planned and was well advanced.
“Organisers know very well that police will not support or facilitate any march across the bridge.
“Any pedestrian access to the bridge poses a serious danger to the pedestrians themselves as well as law abiding motorists using the motorway network.”
Hassan added that police had offered to work with protest organisers to find another location so they could “carry out their protest peacefully and lawfully.”
Police said they would advise the public of any disruptions on Saturday.